I send these remarks today with mixed emotions. I am, of course, very pleased that Sgt. Patrick Stewart has finally received the recognition long due him. The dedication today of the memorial plaque bearing the Wiccan pentacle is the culmination of a long struggle undertaken by his widow, Roberta Stewart. I salute her tenacity.

Yet I regret that Roberta had to adopt such a stance, and I am also aware that we are able to dedicate this plaque today only because state officials here in Nevada have acted. I appreciate the decisiveness of Gov. Kenny Guinn, who ordered that this plaque be installed. But the governor should not have had to take that action, as welcome as it is. Officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs should have granted approval for the use of the pentacle long ago. This fight was unnecessary.

And it is not over yet. Americans United has filed litigation to force the VA to recognize the pentacle for other Wiccans who have died in the service of their country. Obviously not all fallen Wiccan service personnel live in Nevada or in states where the governor is so accommodating of religious freedom. We do not intend to wage this battle state by state. The VA, and indeed all branches of the federal government, have a duty to acknowledge the wide diversity of religion in America today. The VA must do this not merely because it is constitutionally compelled to do so -- they must do it because it is the right and moral thing to do.

Today we take some time to remember Sgt. Stewart, a fallen American hero. The recognition he receives today is long overdue. I offer my condolences to his entire family. We pause today to remember him, and we make this vow: in his memory and in the memory of those who believed as he did, we will continue to press forward until we have achieved victory. Sgt. Stewart never gave up, and neither will we. His memory demands nothing less.
Back to Veteran Pentacle page